References

LIMITATIONS:
1. This technology is not recommended on Padrones, G.D., M.I. Secretaria and S.S. Magat.
closely-spaced full bearing palms (<8 m 1999. Underplanting of young coconuts under
triangular or square planting distance). adult stands of coconut palms for production of
edible vegetative pith or ‘ ubod’. Coconut
2. It is limited only to tall bearing palms but Research and Development. Journal. XV(2):
not applicable on dwarf varieties. 31-45. Publication of Asian and Pacific Coconut
Community (APCC). Also in Proceedings of the
3. This technology is not recommended in 12th Regional Symposium on R & D Highlights 9p.
typhoon belt areas as fallen trees due to August 4, 1999. Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao
typhoon may damage young underplants. City. Sponsored by the SMARRDEC.

4. It can pose a problem on rhinoceros beetle Padrones, G.D., M.I. Secretaria and S.S. Magat.
infestation if waste materials from “ubod” 1998. A Feasibility study on coconut pith ‘ubod’
production under bearing palms. Occasional S &
harvesting are not properly disposed.
T Paper Series No. 2. 19p. Agricultural Research
and Development Branch, Philippine Coconut
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS Authority, Diliman, Quezon City.

Table 2. Socio-Economic Analysis of different planting

schemes of coconut and “ubod” production

Yield/ha/yr Gross Income

Year (kg) (PhP) Techno Guide on Sustainable Cropping
Ubod Copra Ubod Copra System No. 03/2019
A. Single planting
1 0.00 3,775.20 0.00 107,215.68
2 0.00 3,231.80 0.00 91,783.12
3 5,045.60 3,939.50 353,192.00 111,881.80
Tot. 5,045.60 10,939.50 353,192.00 310,681.80
Ave. 1,681.90 3,646.50 117,733.00 103,560.60
B. Double planting
1 0.00 3,775.20 0.00 107,215.68 For more information, call, write, or visit
2 0.00 3,231.80 0.00 91,783.12
Agronomy, Soils and
3 8,755.60 3,989.70 612,892.00 113,307.48
Farming Systems Division
Production of Edible
Tot.
Ave
8,755.60
2,918.50
3,989.70 612,892.00
3,665.60 204,295.00
113,307.48
104,103.04
Philippine Coconut Authority
Davao Research Center
Vegetative Pith or
Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, “Ubod”
Davao City 8000
Tel. (082) 293 0161
E-mail: [email protected]
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION 2. Set seednuts in horizontal position and coconuts using a bolo.
cover 2/3 of the seednuts with soil.
 To prevent spoilage, cut the bole of
The coconut palm is known as the ‘tree of
3. Water the seednuts 2-3 times each week harvestable palms at 6-10 inches
life’ because of its diversified products and
especially during dry season. below the “ubod” base and about 10-18
by-products that support human life. Aside
inches above the “ubod” end.
from the copra and oil which support 1/3 of the 4. After 2-3 months, set the germinated
country’s population, the coconut tree provides seednuts in the ordinary nursery. Lay-  Remove the covering of the “ubod” by
many other useful food and non-food out the rows in a North-South orienta- stripping the base of the petiole to ex-
by-products. One new food item is the edible tion and arrange them preferably tract the soft portion of the “ubod”.
coconut vegetative pith or ‘ubod’. This food in a triangular pattern measuring 60cm
item commands a considerable price in the x 60cm.
market today because of its many uses in the  Weigh and classify the “ubod” (Table 1).
5. About two meters away from the rows of
preparation of food.
bearing palms, prepare holes in two rows Table 1.Average fresh weight, girth & length
in the interspaces of full bearing palms in a of “ubod” per palm at 3 years old.
With the need for R & D on sustainable
3m x 3m triangular planting distance.
coconut farming, a system or strategy of
underplanting young coconuts on adult stand 6. Plant the coconut seedlings in prepared
of palms was developed to provide an holes in either two ways:
 Dispose properly the farm wastes after
alternative source of coconut pith or ‘ubod’
 One palm per hill (742 plants/ha) extracting the “ubod”.
thus, preventing the indiscriminate cutting of
 Two palms/hill at 2 ft apart (1,484 palms/
existing productive coconut palms for such food  If applicable, cover the stump with a
ha)
purpose. Classification Weight Girth Length
7. Apply proper cultural management to both (kg) (cm) (cm)
young and old palms (i.e. ring weeding,
Large 9.9 96.0 28.1
ADVANTAGES fertilization, etc.)
Medium 5.7 88.5 25.1
 Increases coconut farm productivity. 8. Harvest nuts every 45 days.
 Offers an alternative source of coconut pith 9. Harvest “ubod” three years after field Small 2.1 84.4 22.3
or ‘ubod’ without cutting indiscrimi- planting using the following steps:
nately our existing productive palms;
 Trim and cut few older leaves of young
mixture of soil and sand to enhance
 Contributes to the conservation of bearing
decomposition.
coconut trees, thereby maintaining the
natural balance of our ecosystem

PROCEDURE

1. Set the seednuts in raised bed (15-20 cm

above ground level) to prevent them from
being washed away during heavy rains.